Political and Governance in Southeast Asia

Flashcards of key terms and concepts from the lecture notes.

What countries make up Maritime (Insular) Southeast Asia?

Brunei, Indonesia, parts of Malaysia, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste.

What countries make up Mainland Southeast Asia?

Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, the Malay Peninsula, Thailand, and Vietnam.

What is the Mandala State Model?

Power was decentralized and symbolic rather than administrative.

What are the types of Nation-Building and Identity Formation?

Ethnic-Based Nationhood, Civic Nationalism, Communist-Based Nationalism, Thailand’s Unique Identity

What countries in SEA experienced Democratization?

Philippines (1986), Thailand (1992), Cambodia (1993), Indonesia (1999), Timor-Leste (2002)

What countries in SEA experienced Autocratization?

Myanmar (2010–2015), Malaysia (2018)

What countries in SEA experienced Democratization Weakening?

Cambodia (1997), Thailand (2006, 2014), Philippines (2016–2022), Malaysia (2020–2021), Myanmar (2021)

What countries in SEA are Electoral Democracies?

Indonesia, Philippines, Timor-Leste

What countries in SEA are Electoral Autocracies?

Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar (pre-2021), Thailand (pre-2014)

What countries in SEA are Closed Autocracies?

Brunei, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar (since 2021)

What factors reinforce European Identity?

Money, Language, Tourism, Sport, Sexual Norms

What are the three historical influences on European identity?

Ancient Greek philosophy (Plato, Aristotle), Roman law and governance, Christianity

What are the different ways SEA nations followed to independence?

Revolutionary struggles in Vietnam and Indonesia, Peaceful negotiations in Malaysia, Singapore, the PH, Laos, and Cambodia

Why was ASEAN established in 1967?

Political & security reasons

What is LKY’s View of Culture vs Economic Systems?

Culture determines success

What are Asia’s Values as a Justification for Authoritarianism?

Collectivism over individualism, Economic rights over political rights, State sovereignty over international interference, Political stability over democratic freedoms

What was Marcos’ Tadhana Project?

rewrote history to present authoritarianism as a natural Filipino political tradition

What does MIB stand for?

Melayu (Malay culture), Islam (Islamic faith), and Beraja (Monarchy)

What is MIB’s Role in National Stability?

Fosters national unity, Guides governance and policymaking, Shapes personal and cultural identity, Ensures social cohesion, Preserves Brunei’s unique way of life.

What are the challenges to Brunei’s Political Stability?

Heavy reliance on oil and gas revenues poses future risks, Integration of the Chinese Minority- The ethnic Chinese population faces discrimination & restricted citizenship, No Democratic Institutions- No electoral representation, no meaningful political participation, Religious Influence on Politics- Religious groups could challenge state ideology in the future

What caused the decline of the Angkor Empire?

Repeated attacks by the Thai Kingdom of Ayutthaya led to Angkor’s abandonment, and the Khmer capital was relocated to Phnom Penh.

What is the “Thank You Peace” Campaign and the CPP’s Historical Narrative?

The CPP claims full credit for Cambodia’s peace, emphasizing its defeat of the Khmer Rouge and its role in maintaining control after UNTAC. Hun Sen has downplayed the role of international actors

Who holds the executive power in Cambodia?

Executive power rests with the Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister.

What electoral system does Cambodia use that favors larger parties, allowing the CPP to dominate?

d’Hondt formula

What is the current economic standing of Cambodia?

One of the world's fastest-growing economies (1995–2017) but with severe wealth inequality.

What are the reasons why Cambodia’s Tycoons Remain Politically Subservient?

CPP controls tycoons, preventing them from gaining independent political power; Loyalty is rewarded; dissent is punished; The system is designed to reinforce the Hun family’s grip on power.

Describe the nation of Indonesia.

Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelagic state, consists of over 13,000 islands and is home to the largest Muslim-majority population in the world.

What was the Cultivation System in the Dutch colonization of Indonesia?

Dutch colonial authorities forced local farmers to grow export crops, such as coffee, sugar, and indigo, leading to economic exploitation.

What are the four persistent challenges that Indonesia is facing?

Elite Domination & Corruption, Weak Governance & Rule of Law, Socioeconomic Inequality, Religious Intolerance & Political Polarization

What is the Decentralisation in Indonesia and the Rise of Local Sharia Laws?

Implemented in districts with strong Islamist presence but often used by secular parties for political gain. Many sharia laws focused on moral issues (dress codes, alcohol bans) rather than economic or legal reforms. Sharia policies became a tool of elite political bargaining rather than genuine Islamisation.

What role did the U.S. bombings play in Laos?

Laos became the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. Millions of unexploded ordnances (UXO) remain in Laos today, affecting development.

What were the Early Socialist Policies in Laos?

Nationalized industries, banking, and commerce. Attempted agricultural collectivization

What is at the core of Laos’ five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plans (NSEDPs)?

Political stability and economic growth are at the core of Laos’ five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plans (NSEDPs).

What is Economic growth in driven by Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Laos?

Hydropower, Mining, Tourism, Agriculture, Manufacturing

What is the LPRP?

the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) has ruled Laos as a single-party state since 1975.